Alberto Gilardino Celtic had to produce all their battling qualities to hold AC Milan to a goalless draw in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter at Parkhead. In an open and entertaining game, Italy World Cup star Alberto Gilardino had several chances to put the classy visitors ahead but the Hoops, who […]

Jurgen Klinsmann’s World Cup dream was destroyed by two Italy goals at the end of extra-time as Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero struck to secure a place in the final against Portugal or France. With the semi-final less than two minutes away from a penalty shoot-out, after a pulsating match of magnificent football and […]

Italy comfortably beat ten-man Czech Republic to progress to the knockout stages as Group E winners. Former Everton defender Marco Materazzi gave the Azzurri a 25th-minute lead having only come on as a substitute eight minutes earlier before another replacement, Filippo Inzaghi, killed the game off late on. The Czechs were forced to play with […]

Italy got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory over Ghana in Hanover last night. Goals from Andrea Pirlo and second-half substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta gave Italy coach Marcello Lippi the perfect start. The game began at a frenetic pace, with both teams determined to impose their play but it […]